Reduced Graphene Oxide-Based Double Network Polymeric Hydrogels for Pressure and Temperature Sensing

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Hydrogels are versatile materials with applications in various fields.
• Developing advanced hydrogels with enhanced mechanical and responsive properties is crucial for next-generation devices.
• Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) offers unique properties for material enhancement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate novel reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-based double network (DN) hydrogels.
• To investigate the effect of rGO on the properties of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) hydrogels.
• To explore the potential applications of these hydrogels in sensors and soft robotics.

Main Methods:

• Facile synthesis of DN hydrogels via polymerization of PNIPAm and CMC.
• In-situ reduction of graphene oxide (GO) by CMC during hydrogel formation.
• Characterization of hydrogel properties including thermoresponsivity, compressibility, conductivity, and bending behavior.

Main Results:

• The fabricated PNIPAm/CMC/rGO DN hydrogels exhibit enhanced compressibility and flexibility compared to pure PNIPAm hydrogels.
• The hydrogels demonstrate favorable thermoresponsivity, compressibility, and electrical conductivity.
• The materials show excellent performance under continuous cyclic compression and bending.
• The hydrogels are sensitive to both pressure and temperature.

Conclusions:

• The developed rGO-based DN hydrogels possess superior mechanical and responsive properties.
• These hydrogels are suitable for the design of pressure and temperature sensors.
• The study highlights the high potential of these rGO-based DN hydrogels for soft robotics and artificial intelligent skin-like devices.